Claims that late-night pub opening would cut down on binge drinking have failed to sway councillors.

Worthing's licensing panel rejected two town centre pubs' applications to stay open later at a meeting last night because it would have an unacceptable effect on people's quality of life.

Managers at Yates Wine Lodge, Chapel Road, had asked to extend opening hours from 11pm to midnight, from Thursday to Saturday, and the pub chain's regional manager Maurice Toal said the move would make people drink more sensibly.

The Vintner's Parrot pub in Warwick Street wanted to extend from 11pm to 1am on the same days.

Both applications received more than 50 objections from Worthing residents and Sussex Police.

Mr Toal said: "We can demonstrate an extension can reduce binge drinking. You do have problems when all pubs close at the same time - it does create a situation of binge drinking. Opening until midnight will reduce that."

Cyril Selby, of Central Worthing Residents' Association (CWRA), complained there were too many pubs in the town centre.

He said: "If you take an area from Splash Point to Heene Road and Broadwater Bridge to the pier, there are no less than 48 drinking establishments. The overall outcome of an extension is Chapel Road would become a drinkers' paradise."

He said longer opening hours would draw more police to the town centre, limiting the number policing the surrounding areas.

The CWRA's Robert Smith said it was impossible for police to control all the drinkers when they fan out from town centre pubs and an extension would prolong the period of unruly behaviour.

After a four-hour debate, Worthing's corporate lawyer Richard Iliffe said: "The panel was concerned about the possibility of crime and disorder and the impact on the community safety strategy."